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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Dia Adams is a Mom of a teen and a tween in the DC Metro area. She writes The Deal Mommy, an award-winning site focusing on showing kids the world while still maintaining both savings and sanity. She is also the author of bestselling travel guide Disney World Hacks.
June 8, 2020 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Timeshare rentals can offer families more space and amenities, such as kitchens and separate bedrooms, often for less than traditional hotel rooms.
Unlike independent vacation rentals, timeshare rentals provide added peace of mind since they are managed by companies with multiple units and consistent standards.
Platforms like KOALA and SkyAuction allow travelers to find discounted timeshare stays, sometimes up to 70% less than standard rates, especially for last-minute or off-season bookings.
Popular destinations with abundant timeshare inventory include Orlando, Las Vegas, the Canary Islands and more, making it easier to find deals in these locations.
What to consider
Timeshare rentals are typically nonrefundable, so firm travel plans and possibly travel insurance are recommended.
Service levels may differ from hotels, with limited housekeeping and minimal daily services.
Desirable deals can disappear quickly, so immediate booking is often necessary to secure the best rates.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed guide to finding, booking and maximizing value from timeshare rentals, including specific platforms and destination tips.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
When people think of using points for hotel stays, they typically think of cashing in at major hotel brands such as Marriott or Hyatt. But traditional hotel rooms don't work for many families — mine included.
I avoid booking a single hotel room with my family of four like the plague. The bottom line is that a teen boy and a tween girl aren’t going to sleep in the same bed by choice, and I’m not going to force them to do it.
Thankfully, there's a better way with timeshare rentals. For less — sometimes much less — than a hotel room, you can have a kitchen, living room and that all-important bedroom door that shuts. Even better, you can use points to help defray the cost.
Timeshare rentals can deliver outstanding value while also offering one significant advantage over independent rentals: peace of mind. Renting from a company that owns entire buildings means there are more options if you reach your destination and find your room is not as you hoped.
Think of a timeshare exchange company as a bakery — the bread and pastries it sells become worthless after a certain date. If excess inventory is expected, those units are often sold at a discount as the stay date creeps closer, just like the "day-old" bread and pastries.
Renting a timeshare unit for a specific vacation is entirely different than debating the merits of purchasing a timeshare. And we're also not talking about "vacation packages" that include tickets or other incentives. Those packages typically require a timeshare tour — hardly my idea of a great time while on holiday. Weekly rentals are just that: Weeklong stays with no strings attached.
When I search for units, I always compare ratings and reviews so I have an idea of what I’m getting. Keep in mind these are more like apartments or condos, not hotels, so people sometimes leave unfair ratings based on unwarranted complaints like “no maid service."
If you’re in the military, are a veteran or a first responder, the deals can get even better, as Armed Forces Vacation Club and Heroes Vacation Club both offer weeks from $359.
One available platform for finding timeshares to rent, KOALA, is a vacation rental marketplace connecting timeshare owners to travelers looking for the resort experience without the resort price. By renting directly from the owner, you can often snag deals up to 70% lower than the big travel sites.
Photo by @fara64/Twenty20
If you want to go to Disney's resorts in Florida, Hawaii, California, etc. you can look into renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points or existing reservations at the Disney resorts that DVC owners have made. Disney doesn't often use the word timeshare, but in essence, that's what it is and you can save on stays in much the same way you can at any other timeshare by booking this way.
Last-minute timeshare rental steals
SkyAuction takes the model to the next level by adding in a splash of eBay. You’ll usually see tons of great locations within 30-days of arrival and a smattering of destinations that are available pretty much year-round.
Deals available through SkyAuction. (Screenshot courtesy of SkyAuction)
To save as much as possible, be sure to check SkyAuction if you’re visiting anywhere off-season or are heading to a destination on this list:
The aforementioned destinations have a large number of timeshare rentals and pretty much always have some level of inventory available. Just don’t get too excited when you see $1 listed as an auction price, as in the fine print, you’ll see a service fee of $229 or more on top of a $20 SkyAuction fee. Even still, paying $249 to spend a week in a condo can be a scorching deal.
When timeshare rentals might work for you
You’re a last-minute traveler. Peak locations often come available 30 days or less before departure, just like some of the best airline award tickets.
You like to travel during the off-season.
You’re willing to consider destinations that are beyond the average tourist's wish list.
If you use availability for inspiration, as I do, you can have some real adventures. For instance, I would have never considered the Canary Islands if I hadn't seen timeshare rentals available there at a good price. I've since been twice, using timeshare rentals both times — and I'm even planning a third visit.
Canary Island (Photo by marcoisler/Getty Images)
My first visit to the Canary Islands was to the island of Tenerife, booked with SkyAuction. I paid $353 all-in for a week in a lovely one-bedroom condo in Puerto de la Cruz. The second time I brought my family to Gran Canaria for spring break and booked a two-bedroom oceanfront condo through a timeshare rental for just $560 for the whole week.
When you shouldn't book a timeshare vacation rental
Like anything, timeshare rentals aren’t for everyone. A major drawback is that they're nonrefundable, so your plans need to be firm. I suggest travel insurance if you’re opting for a timeshare rental. In fact, here's why I buy travel insurance.
You’ll also be disappointed if you expect five-star service while on vacation. Timeshare rentals usually have midweek housekeeping and, if you’re lucky, daily trash removal. If you need turndown service or daily room service, a vacation rental is probably not for you.
And because timeshare inventory is placed in real-time, you should be comfortable booking the moment you see something you like.
If you first need to gather your thoughts, call family members, check the calendar 10 times and consult your horoscope, someone will steal that deal right from under you. But if you can pull the trigger quickly, you might land a week in a huge two-bedroom ocean-view unit in Hawaii for $279.
I know I did — I booked this deal five minutes after I saw it and never looked back.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
